Judge Orders Mediation In Hospital Dispute

A judge has ordered mediation in a lawsuit filed in the wake of a partnership announced by Kentucky's two children's hospitals.

Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville and the University of Kentucky HealthCare's Kentucky Children's Hospital in Lexington announced last year that both institutions had signed a letter of intent to partner.

The announcement brought a quick reaction from the University of Louisville, which said the partnership could jeopardize U of L's relationship with Norton Healthcare, which owns Kosair. U of L then accused Norton of violating a land-lease agreement by entering into the partnership.

The Courier-Journal reports Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate told both sides last week that he would appoint a mediator. He did not set a deadline to resolve the dispute.